MANNA in the wilderness May 2008 The Newsletter of the Las Vegas Catholic Worker Volume 22, Number 3 Catholic Worker Movement: 75 Years! "The Catholic Worker movement celebrates it 75th birthday. It did not dissolve after Dorothy Day's passing in 1980. The seeds of the movement were planted in the most fertile and enduring soil--the daily practice of the works of mercy. The work itself is the tie that binds, sustains, unites and brings great joy." –Willa Bickham and Brendan Walsh, Baltimore Catholic Worker by Gary Cavalier The Catholic Worker movement started on May 1, 1933 when co- founders Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin produced the first copy of the Catholic Worker newspaper and sold it in Union Square in New York for a penny a copy. In this newsletter we provide information on two new DVD's and two new books which focus on Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker movement. At the end of each article is information on where to order the DVD or book. We will also have copies available at the Catholic Worker to borrow. In April, Mark Kelso moved into the Catholic Worker house. He has been cooking the soup on Saturday mornings for many years and is a member of the Third Order of the Carmelites. Mark is also studying Religious Studies at Regis University. The DVD of Sarah Melici's one- lights of my lifetime. Without her We mourn the passing of Fr. person play, Fool for Christ: The courage and constancy, the church James Swenson , Pastor of St. Story of Dorothy Day is now avail- (and myself) would have been im- Bridget's Roman Catholic Church in able. Sarah performed her play in poverished beyond my power of tell- downtown Las Vegas. Fr. Swenson Las Vegas seven years ago for the ing. We need not mourn her death: was very generous to our ministry Las Vegas Catholic Worker's 15th in this monologue, passionate, funny and he had a big heart for "God's anniversary. In the play Sarah dis- and heartfelt, Dorothy lives. Sarah poor". cusses Peter Maurin, co-founder Melici has graced us with a splen- Since March, parishoners of St. with Day of the Catholic Worker did evening. I can think of no greater John Neumann have been making Newspaper and Movement, her praise, Fool for Christ is worthy of about 100 sack lunches every daughter,Tamar; Forster Batterham, the original Dorothy." Thursday which we have been her common law husband and many For further information, the giving out to day laborers around the others. website is www.foolforchrist.com or neighborhood. Daniel Berrigan, SJ, poet and call (732) 345-0573. This August the Las Vegas activist writes: "Fool for Christ To order the DVD send a check Catholic Worker will celebrate 22 brings to the stage the story of a or money order for $19.99 per DVD years of service to the poor and woman whose folly immeasurably plus $5 shipping to: Sarah Melici, 28 homeless citizens of this city. Thank surpassed the wisdom of this world. Riverside Ave. #7L, Red Bank, NJ you for your generous support over Dorothy Day was one of the guiding 07701. these many years. The DUTY of DELIGHT The Catholic Worker after Dorothy The Diaries of Dorothy Day Practicing the Works of Mercy in a New Generation by Dan McKanan Edited by Robert Ellsberg When Dorothy Day died in 1980, vocations of their members. Open to According to Dorothy Day's wishes, many people assumed that the move- single people and families, in urban her personal papers were to be sealed ment she had founded would gradu- and rural areas, the Catholic Worker for twenty-five years after her death, ally fade away. But the current state of and its core mission have proven to that anniversary happened in Novem- the Catholic Worker movement— be both resilient and flexible. The ber 2005 and Marquette University more than two hundred active com- Catholic Worker after Dorothy explores Press has produced the first of two munities—reflects Day's fierce atten- the reality of Catholic Worker commu- volumes of edited diaries. Following tion to the present moment and the nities today. What holds them to- are some excerpts from her journals: local community. "These communities gether? How have they developed to June 29, 1938 have prospered," according to Dan incorporate families? How do Catho- Thinking gloomily of the sins and McKanan, "because Day and Peter lic Workers relate to the institutional shortcomings of others, it suddenly Maurin provided them with a blueprint church and to other radical communi- came to me to remember my own of- that emphasized creativity more than ties? What impact does the move- fenses, just as heinous as those of rigid adherence to a single model." Day ment have on the world today? others. If I concern myself with my wanted Catholic Worker communities This book is available from Liturgi- own sins and lament them, if I remem- to be free to shape their identities cal Press, call toll free: (800) 858-5450 ber my own failures and lapses, I will around the local needs and distinct or the website is www.litpress.org not be resentful of others. This was most cheering and lifted the load of gloom from my mind. It makes one Dorothy Day: Don't Call Me a Saint unhappy to judge people and happy to Dorothy Day: Don't Call Me A Saint to Catholicism. Her conversion, how- love them. tells the story of the New York writer ever, forced her to sacrifice her com- February 27, 1939 and Catholic anarchist who the Vatican mon-law marriage, and her quest "to Every morning I break my fast with is currently considering for canoniza- build a new world in the shell of the the men in the breadline. Some of them tion. But Dorothy is no ordinary saint. old" cost her only child a normal life. speak to me. Many of them do not. But Dorothy's career began as a writer The film begins at the height of the they know me and I know them. And for radical papers during the Bohemian Depression with Dorothy meeting the there is a sense of comradeship there. whirl of 1917 Greenwich Village. There French peasant philosopher, Peter We know each other in the breaking was a doomed affair, an attempted Maurin. To order this film, contact of bread. suicide and an abortion; love anew, the writer/director/producer Claudia Available from Marquette University birth of her daughter and a conversion Larsen at: dorothydaydoc.com. Press, www.marquette.edu/mupress/ WEBSITES: PRAY FOR (FOR Thanks to all our PEACE TAB) www.lvcw.org IN OUR Donors who make this www.catholicworker.org WORLD! ministry possible! Empty Bowl Benefit ington, D.C. 20017, by telephoning Hot Dog Feasts The Eighth Annual Empty Bowl Event 202-832-1780, by e-mailing held April 5, raised over $22,000 for our [email protected] or a PDF copy is This Summer ministry with the poor and homeless. available from www.maryknollogc.org/ 2008elections/index.htm. Christ the King Catholic Community Sales of tickets and extra bowls was up 11% over last year's event. is again providing hot dogs, water- Tamar Hennesy, R.I.P. melon and macaroni salad this sum- Voter's Guide Dorothy Day's daughter Tamar died mer for our morning soupline. We A 12 page guide for the 2008 election March 24, 2008 at the age of 82. Tamar can use volunteers to help serve up is available from Maryknoll's Office for married William Hennessy in 1944 and this meal. Dates are: June 5, July 3, Global Concerns titled Loving Our had 9 children. She was an accom- August 7 & Sept. 4. Call: 647-0728 Neighbor in a Shrinking World. Request plished spinner and weaver and a copies by mail to P.O. Box 29132, Wash- skilled organic gardener. PLEASE JOIN US: Wednesday-Saturday, 6:00 a.m.: Morning prayer at Catholic Worker. Wednesday-Saturday, 6:30 a.m.: Breakfast served at G & McWilliams street to the poor and homeless. Last Saturday of month, 8:00 a.m.: Deliver food to homes in need. ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED SERVICE ADDRESS Wednesday, 8 a.m. - noon: PERMIT NO. 1979 NO. PERMIT Hospitality Day, we invite 15 home- LAS VEGAS, NV VEGAS, LAS Las Vegas, NV 89106-3039 NV Vegas, Las less men & women home for show- PAID PAID PAID PAID PAID 500 W. Van Buren Avenue Buren Van W. 500 ers, to wash clothes, & lunch. U.S. POSTAGE U.S. (702) 647-0728 (702) Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.: NONPROFIT ORG. NONPROFIT Las Vegas Catholic Worker Catholic Vegas Las Vigil for Peace in front of Federal Courthouse, 333 S. Las Vegas Blvd. PRINTING DONATED BY AccuPRINT.